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The Isolation, Identification, and Quantitation of Dimethyltryptamine
(DMT) in Mimosa hostilis
Jack A. Fasanello* and Andrea D. Placke
U.S. Department of Justice
Drug Enforcement Administration
Northeast Laboratory
99 Tenth Avenue, Suite 721
New York, NY 10011
[email: jack.a.fasanello -at- usdoj.gov]
[Presented in Part at the 33rd Annual NEAFS Meeting, Bolton Landing, NY,
October 31st - November 3rd, 2007.]
ABSTRACT: Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) was extracted from the root bark of Mimosa hostilis via three
methods, using methanol (direct or via Soxhlet) and acetic acid (direct only), respectively. The product from the
direct methanol extraction was used in both qualitative and quantitative analysis, while the product from the acetic
acid extraction (isolated in crystal form after workup) was used for qualitative analysis. FTIR/ATR, GC/MS,
GC/IRD, 1H-NMR, and HPLC data are presented. Quantitative analysis by 1H-NMR and HPLC indicated 0.9
percent and 0.8 percent DMT, respectively, in the analyzed samples.
KEYWORDS: Mimosa hostilis, Dimethyltryptamine, DMT, Extraction, Analysis, Forensic Chemistry
Introduction
Tryptamines are substituted indole compounds which are both naturally occurring and synthetically
manufactured. Many tryptamines, including dimethyltryptamine (DMT, Figure 1), have hallucinogen properties,
and are therefore listed as Schedule I drugs under the U.S. Controlled Substances Act (21 CFR 1308.11). DMT is
present in many plants and their seeds, including in Mimosa hostilis and Psychotria viridis [1-3], and can be
abused by smoking, injection, or ingestion of either these natural materials or their crude or purified extracts,
either alone or in combination with other extracts (e.g., Ayahuasca [4].) Mimosa hostilis and similar natural plant
materials are not formally controlled (by name) in the United States; however, they are controlled (Schedule I) if
they are shown to contain DMT or other controlled hallucinogens. Despite their controlled status, a number of
DMT-containing natural products, including Mimosa hostilis, are openly marketed on the Internet.
Figure 1. Structure of Dimethyltryptamine (DMT; C12H16N2, m.w. = 188.27).
Microgram Journal, Volume 5, Numbers 1-4 (January - December 2007)
41
Clandestine DMT extraction laboratories are occasionally seized by law enforcement agencies [e.g., 5]. The basis
of this report was the seizure of an unknown plant material (Photo 1) at a clandestine MDMA (Ecstasy) laboratory
in rural Pennsylvania. GC/MS analysis of a methanolic extraction of the material identified DMT. Upon
debriefing, the defendant in the case indicated that material was root bark from Mimosa hostilis. Similar seizures
of this material have been made at other clandestine laboratory sites in the United States, and subsequent analyses
of those exhibits confirmed that they also contained DMT.
Photo 1. Mimosa hostilis Root Bark Seized at Clandestine Lab in Pennsylvania.
Experimental
Methanol Extraction: The root bark was cut into small pieces then ground in a blender to produce a very fine
powder. For direct extraction, methanol was added to the powder, heated to 60OC with stirring for 1 hour, and
then filtered. This step was repeated three more times, except the re-extractions were carried out for only 5 - 10
minutes each. The combined extracts were evaporated to a residue over steam, then reconstituted as needed for
analysis. For Soxhlet extraction, the powdered material was placed in an extraction thimble, placed in a Soxhlet,
and extracted with 50 mL of methanol for approximately 50 volumes. The solvent was evaporated to a residue
over steam, then reconstituted as needed for analysis.
Acetic Acid Extraction: The root bark was cut into small pieces then ground in a blender to produce a very fine
powder. A 3% acetic acid solution was added to the powder, and the resulting suspension was stirred for
approximately two hours. The solution was filtered and transferred to a separatory funnel, made basic with
sodium hydroxide, and then extracted with methylene chloride. The methylene chloride solution was isolated,
and the aqueous later was re-extracted with a second volume of methylene chloride. The combined extracts were
dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered, and evaporated to give a crystalline material.
Fourier Transform Infrared with Attenuated Total Reflectance (FTIR/ATR)
Instrument: Perkin-Elmer Spectrum One FTIR.
Data collection: Four scans were collected between 650 cm-1 and 4000 cm-1.
Resolution: 4 cm-1.
Sample: Crystals from the acetic acid extraction.
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Microgram Journal, Volume 5, Numbers 1-4 (January - December 2007)
Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS)
Instrument: Agilent 6890N GC/Agilent 5973 Mass Selective Detector.
Column: HP-5, 30 m x 0.25 mm x 0.25 :m column.
Temperature program: 90OC - 120OC @ 35OC/min; initial time 1.35 min, then 120OC - 290OC @45OC/min; initial
time 0.55 min, final hold time 8.5 min.
Injection port temperature: 300OC.
Transfer line temperature: 280OC.
Ionization source: Electron ionization (EI).
Mass analyzer: Quadrupole.
Scan range: 40 - 525.
Quadrupole temperature: 150OC.
MS source temperature: 230OC.
Sample preparation: Residue from the methanol extraction, reconstituted in methanol.
Gas Chromatograph/Infrared Detector (GC/IRD)
Instrument: Agilent 6890 GC/Varian IRD Detector.
Column: HP-5, 25 m x 320 :m x 0.52 :m column.
Split mode: 5:1.
Temperature program: 100OC for 1.50 min, ramp @ 35OC/min to 120OC, hold for 0.55 min, then ramp @
40OC/min to 290OC, final hold for 8.13 min.
Inlet temperature: 270OC.
Injection volume: 2 :L.
Constant column flow: 2.0 mL/min.
Transfer line temperature: 280OC.
Flow cell temperature: 280OC.
KBr windows.
Optical resolution: 8.
1.5 scans/sec.
Sample: Residue from the methanol extraction, reconstituted in chloroform.
Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR)
Instrument: Mercury 400 MHz.
Number of transients: 8.
Relaxation delay: 45 seconds.
Pulse: 90O.
Sweep width: 6393.9 Hz.
Temperature: 25OC.
Sample preparation for qualitative analysis: Crystals from the acetic acid extraction, reconstituted in 1 mL
CD3OD.
Sample preparation for quantitative analysis: 5.0 g Mimosa hostilis extracted via the methanol extraction
procedure, yielding 1.52 g residue. Added 28.0 mg to 1 mL CD3OD, with 5.544 mg maleic acid added as the
internal standard.
High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
Instrument: Agilent 1100 Series HPLC.
Column: Phenomonex Partisil 5:m ODS-3 (C-18).
Mobile phase: Phosphate buffer pH 2.5:methanol (90:10).
Injection: 5 :L.
Flow rate: 1.0 mL/min.
Detection: 280 nm.
Run time: 8 minutes.
Sample preparation: 9.9 g Mimosa hostilis extracted via methanol extraction procedure, with the residue
reconstituted in 100 mL methanol.
Microgram Journal, Volume 5, Numbers 1-4 (January - December 2007)
43
Results and Discussion
The extraction of DMT from Mimosa hostilis was completed using two different solvents, methanol (direct or via
Soxhlet) and acetic acid (direct only). The methanol extraction gave the maximum recovery of DMT for
qualitative and quantitative analysis; however, the extract included other soluble plant impurities. The extraction
efficiency using methanol was identical whether done directly or via Soxhlet. The acetic acid extraction gave a
very clean, pure product, but in lower yield versus the methanol extraction.
FTIR/ATR: The crystals from the acetic acid extraction procedure produced a clean spectrum (Figure 2).
GC/MS: DMT eluted at 6.06 minutes using the described method. The spectra showed a base peak at m/z = 58
and the molecular ion at m/z = 188, along with smaller peaks at m/z = 44, 77, and 130 (Figures 3 and 4).
GC/IRD: DMT eluted at 6.88 minutes using the described method (Figure 5).
1
H-NMR (Qualitative): The singlet at 2.35 ppm is due to the two N-methyl groups, the two triplets at 2.70 ppm
and 2.95 ppm correspond to the alpha and beta methylene groups. The multiplet at 7.00 ppm corresponds to
protons 2, 5, and 6 on the indole. Finally, the two doublets at 7.25 ppm and 7.50 ppm correspond to protons 4 and
7 on the indole. A slight shift was observed in the extract versus a DMT standard; this was due to pH differences
(the spectrum was obtained from DMT acquired using the acetic acid extraction procedure, which involved an
acid base workup). (Figure 6). (Quantitative): Using the direct methanol extract, DMT was determined to be
0.9% weight/weight in Mimosa hostilis (Figure 7 and Table 1). Using the direct methanol extract, DMT was
determined to be 0.9% weight/weight in Mimosa hostilis (Figure 8 and Table 2).
HPLC: DMT eluted in under 3 minutes. Using the methanol extract, DMT was determined to be 0.8%
weight/weight in Mimosa hostilis (Figure 9 and Table 3).
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the Laboratory Director Thomas Blackwell, Supervisory Chemists Christopher
Guglielmo and Ann Marie O’Neill, Senior Forensic Chemist Michelle Camilleri, and Forensic Chemists
Christopher Benintendo and Ken Fuentecilla (all of this laboratory), and Senior Forensic Chemist Patrick Hays
(DEA Special Testing and Research Laboratory, Dulles, VA).
References
1.
Duke JA, Vásquez, R. Amazonian Ethnobotanical Dictionary. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL:1994.
2.
Schultes RE, Hoffmann A. The Botany and Chemistry of Hallucinogens, 2nd ed., Charles C. Thomas,
Springfield, IL:1980.
3.
Blackledge RD, Taylor CM. Psychotria viridis - A botanical source of dimethyltryptamine. Microgram
Journal 2003;1(1-2):18-22.
4.
Casale JF, Koles JE. Analysis of ayahuasca (“Santo Daime”). Microgram 1995;28(9):296.*
5.
Anonymous. Clandestine dimethyltryptamine (DMT) laboratory seized in Hollywood, California.
Microgram Bulletin 2007;40(7):65-6.
* Law Enforcement Restricted Publication.
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Microgram Journal, Volume 5, Numbers 1-4 (January - December 2007)
0.0
3000
2000
1500
1000
650
cm-1
Figure 2. FTIR/ATR of a DMT Standard (Top Trace) and DMT from the Acetic Acid Extraction
Procedure (Bottom Trace). [Note: The DMT Standard was Recrystallized from Chloroform.]
----------
Microgram Journal, Volume 5, Numbers 1-4 (January - December 2007)
45
Abundance
TIC: DMTEXT.D
320000
300000
280000
260000
240000
220000
200000
180000
160000
140000
120000
100000
80000
60000
40000
20000
4.50
5.00
5.50
6.00
6.50
7.00
7.50
Time-->
Figure 3. GC/MS Total Ion Chromatogram of DMT (Methanol Extract).
Figure 4. GC/MS Data of DMT (Methanol Extract). [Note: Molecular Ion at m/z = 188.]
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Microgram Journal, Volume 5, Numbers 1-4 (January - December 2007)
Figure 5. GC/IRD Data of DMT (Methanol Extract). [Note: DMT eluted at 6.88 Minutes.]
----------
Microgram Journal, Volume 5, Numbers 1-4 (January - December 2007)
47
160
150
140
130
120
Normalized Intensity
110
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
Chemical Shift (ppm)
3
2
1
0
Figure 6a. Full-Scale NMR Data of DMT (Acetic Acid Extract).
----------
65
60
55
N o r m a liz e d I n t e n s it y
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
Chemical Shift (ppm)
Figure 6b. Expanded Spectrum from 2 to 4 ppm. See Results and Discussion for Peak Assignments.
48
Microgram Journal, Volume 5, Numbers 1-4 (January - December 2007)
25
Normalized Intensity
20
15
10
5
7.6
7.5
7.4
7.3
7.2
7.1
7.0
6.9
Chemical Shift (ppm)
6.8
6.7
6.6
6.5
Figure 6c. Expanded Spectrum from 6.5 to 7.6 ppm. See Results and Discussion
for Peak Assignments.
----------
Figure 7a. NMR Quantitation of DMT (Direct Methanol Extract); See Table 1.
Microgram Journal, Volume 5, Numbers 1-4 (January - December 2007)
49
Figure 7b. NMR Quantitation of DMT (Direct Methanol Extract); Expansion; See Table 1.
----------
Table 1. NMR Quantitation of DMT (Direct Methanol Extract); See Figure 7.
Original Amount of Plant Material (g)
Amount of extraction product (g)
Sample Amount (mg)
Molecular Weight of Sample
Solvent
Internal Standard (I.S.)
Molecular Weight of I.S.
I.S. Amount (mg)
Peaks Chemical Shift (ppm)
Integral Value
Number of protons represented
Quantitation Value
Average purity of extracted material
Amount of DMT in Mimosa hostilis
5.0
1.52
28.00
188.3
CD3OD
Maleic Acid
116.07
5.544
[6.26..6.34]
34.12
2
Internal Standard
[7.02..7.08]
2.13
1
4.01%
[7.10..7.15]
1.64
1
3.09%
[7.34..7.42]
1.39
1
2.61%
[7.54..7.62]
1.27
1
2.39%
3.03%
0.918%
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Microgram Journal, Volume 5, Numbers 1-4 (January - December 2007)
400
350
Normalized Intensity
300
250
200
150
100
50
0
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
Chemical Shift (ppm)
3
2
1
0
Figure 8a. NMR Quantitation of DMT (Methanol - Soxhlet Extract); See Table 2.
88
80
72
Normalized Intensity
64
56
48
40
32
24
16
8
0
8.0
7.5
7.0
Chemical Shift (ppm)
6.5
6.0
Figure 8b. NMR Quantitation of DMT (Methanol - Soxhlet Extract); Expansion; See Table 2.
Microgram Journal, Volume 5, Numbers 1-4 (January - December 2007)
51
Table 2. NMR Quantitation Results of DMT (Soxhlet Extract); See Figure 8
Sample Amount (mg)
Molecular Weight of Sample
Solvent
Internal Standard (I.S.)
Molecular Weight of I.S.
I.S. Amount (mg)
10450.0
188.3
CD3OD
Maleic Acid
116.07
6.118
Peaks Chemical Shift (ppm)
Integral Value
Number of protons represented
Quantitation Value
[6.25..6.33]
32.58
2
Internal Standard
Amount DMT in Mimosa hostilis
[7.01..7.17]
2.575
1
1.501%
[7.33..7.39]
1.032
1
0.601%
[7.55..7.61]
0.999
1
0.582%
0.894%
----------
DAD1A, Sig=280,20Ref=450,100(6JULY07A\012-0201.D)
2.686
mAU
400
300
200
1.099
2.338
100
0
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
min
Figure 9. HPLC Quantitation of DMT (Methanol Extract); See Table 2.
Table 3. HPLC Quantitation of DMT (Methanol Extract); See Figure 9.
Concentration
(mg/ml)
DMT Standard
DMT Extract
52
RT 1
(minutes)
0.2924
2.685
99.00
2.686
RT 2
(minutes)
Area 1
2304.82
2.702
3
6302.68
2.688
4
Area 2
2366.98
4
6339.69
0
Average
Area
Quant
Value
2335.904
100.00
6321.187
0.799
Microgram Journal, Volume 5, Numbers 1-4 (January - December 2007)